Head restraint

ABSTRACT

A head restraint for immobilizing the head of an injured person to prevent the aggravation or extension of his injuries during transportation and examination. A pair of flexible plastic laminae are sealingly bonded together along seams defining and surrounding a generally U-shaped inflatable envelope having a trapezoidally shaped, uninflated central web. The legs of the Ushaped envelope are inflatable into a pair of spaced, pillow-like major lobes which support the sides of the head. An inflatable minor lobe extends between the major lobes adjacent a side of the web for supporting the neck. One or two belts are tied over the restrained head, around the restraint and under a support surface to clamp the major lobes conformingly against opposite sides of the head. Alternatively, a pillow casing encloses the inflated laminae for conformingly clamping the lobes.

United States Patent 1191 Morrison 1 1 HEAD RESTRAINT Robert D.Morrison. Worthington. Ohio [75I lnventor:

[22] Filed: May 23. 1974 [211 Appl. No: 472.529

[52] LLS. C1. 128/133: 5/327; 128/83;

[51) Int. Cl. A6IF [3/00 [58] Field of Search 128/133. 134. DIG. 20.

l28/1h3.D1G. 23. 83. 69. 7t). 87. 75'. 5/327 R. 327 B. 338.3371269/322-328. 27/211248/118 |56| References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 941.1143 Il/l9ll9 Powell 5/338 1.795.893 3/1931 Rusutt 128/D1G.2(1

2.033.779 3/1936 Monk. 5/327 8 2.199.479 5/1941! Cappel 5/338 2.589.1553/1952 Smith l28/D1G. 23

2.943.859 7/1961! Koski ct a1 123/133 X 3.484.096 12/1909 Briggs 269/3283.655.178 4/1972 \"c/jnanunm 269/323 3.672.364 M1972 Rankin 128/833.762.404 Ill/19 3 Sakita 128/D1G. 21)

1 1 Aug. 5, 1975 3.783.863 1/1974 Klievcr 128/134 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1.350.754 12/1963 France 128/D1G. 20

Primary E.\'umim'rRichard A. Gaudet Ass/stun! Examiner-Henry J. ReclaAttorney. Agent. or Firm-Frank H. Foster 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A head restraintfor immobilizing the head of an injured person to prevent theaggravation or extension of his injuries during transportation andexamination. A pair of flexible plastic laminae are sealingly bondedtogether along seams defining and surrounding a generally Ushapedinflatable envelope having a trapezoidally shaped. uninflated centralWeb. The legs of the U-shaped envelope are inflatable into a pair ofspaced. pillow-like major lobes which support the sides of the head. Aninflatable minor lobe extends between the major lobes adjacent a side ofthe web for supporting the neck. One or two belts are tied over therestrained head. around the restraint and under a support surface toclamp the major lobes conformingly against opposite sides of the head.Alternatively. a pillow casing encloses the inflated laminae forconformingly clamping the lobes.

6 Claims. 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 5M5 SHEET PATENTEU AUG 5 I975SHEET PATENTEU AUG 51975 3' 897. 777

sum 3 HEAD RESTRAINT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesgenerally to human body splints and braces for restraining the head of ahuman. More particularly this invention relates to a device forimmobilizing the head of an injured person so that it will not move andcause further injury during transportation of the injured person fromthe scene of an injury to an ambulance, and subsequently to a medicalfacility or in a medical facility during examination, such as the takingof x-ray photographs.

Special precautions need to be observed in the movement of a personafter an injury. Although such persons must be moved to a medicalfacility where their injuries can be accurately diagnosed and be givenproper treatment, the person should be moved in a manner which does notcause further injury. Frequently, injuries, especially those incurredfrom an automobile accident, are such that movement of the body islikely to cause further injury or to substantially aggravate existinginjuries. For example, in neck or cervical spine injuries, such as whiplash, fractures or dislocations, any movement of the head relative tothe spine may seriously aggravate the injury condition. Therefore, whileit is desirable to transport an injured person to a hospital or similarmedical facility as quickly as possible, it should not be done sorapidly that precautions against further injury are not taken.

Of course, the ordinary cot, stretcher or litter is an attempt to takeinto account the necessity for maintaining an injured person in animmobile position. However, such a support platform still permits thehead of the injured person to move relative to the spine. Theundesirable relative motion includes rotation of the head about the axisof the spine, pivotal neck bending movement and worse of all a shearingor separation movement. The injured person is most susceptible to suchpotentially harmful motion when he is moved into an awaiting ambulanceand when removed from the ambulance to the hospital cot of the medicalfacility.

Two types of devices have been previously suggested to restrain the headof an injured person. Some support surfaces for transporting injuredpersons are provided with belts or straps which are tied around thesupport surface and the head of the injured person to hold the head in arelatively fixed position.

The second means previously suggested is a helmet designed to surroundand envelope the back, sides and top of the head. Typical helmet systemsinclude both inflatable envelopes entirely surrounding the head as wellas solid blocks of materials such as rigid foam plastic having acontoured cavity for receiving the head.

The simple strap tie down system, although simple and easy to operate,does an inefficient job of securing the head. Straps tied around thehead and support surface permit some rotating movement of the headbecause the head is secured primarily by frictional engagement betweenthe head and the straps. The helmet devices not only are ordinarilylarge and bulky but are unusually complex and time consuming tomanipulate into an operable position. For example, one such device isshown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,688. This device requires extensivemanipulation for the attachment of a system of straps which must bethreaded beneath the armpits of the injured person to form a harness.Devices of this type which are inflatable also require a substantialinternal network of spacers which are needed to make the helmet conformto the head. This contoured conformation is of course the concept aroundwhich the helmet devices are designed.

In addition, devices of the helmet type require that the head bestraightened into alignment with the cavity of the helmet prior to itsplacement in the helmet. Consequently, with some of these devices, theadditional trauma to the patient caused by attachment of the restraintdevice could be worse than the potential trauma from movement duringtransportation without a restraint.

Desirably, a head restraint takes up very little storage space in anambulance or emergency vehicle. However, it is easily and quicklyaccessible to the paramedics who arrive on the scene of the injury andwould be easily and quickly manipulatible into effective operation.

When the ambulance arrives at a medical facility or hospital and apatient is removed for treatment, it is desirable that the ambulancedriver, paramedics and equipment not be kept idle just waiting for thereturn of the head restraint equipment. However, if the head restraintequipment is expensive, an ambulance, which otherwise could be providingfurther service, is immobilized waiting for a piece of equipment.

There is, therefore a need for a head restraint which can be folded intoa small package for storage, very quickly unfolded and inflated to anoperable condition and easily installed upon the patient and which canbe operably positioned without necessitating any significant movement ofthe patient during installation. There is also a need for a restraintwhich can immobilize the head of the patient in whatever position it isfound subsequent to an injury. There is further a need for such a devicewhich is radiotransparent so that it may be left in position during thetaking of x-rays for diagnosing the injury. Additionally, it would bedesirable to have such a restraint which is so inexpensive that it maybe disposed of and consequently does not cause an idle delay of theemergency equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a head restraint forimmobilizing the head of an injured person, who is supine upon a supportsurface, against movement relative to the person's spine. The restraintcomprises a pair of spaced, resilient pillow-like major lobes joined atan inner side of each by a relatively central web and a drawing meansfor drawing the major lobes into conformingly clamping engagement onopposite sides of an interposed head.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved headrestraint of the type described above.

A further object of the invention is to provide a head restraint whichcan restrain the head in whatever position it is found.

Another object of the invention is to provide a head restraint ofmaximum simplicity which may be quickly and easily installed in itsoperable, functioning position to immobilize the head of an injuredperson.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive headrestraint which can be stored in a small package, which can potentiallybe disposed of after use and which is radiotransparent.

It is another object of the invention to provide an inflatable restraintwhich can alternatively be filled with hot or cold water for thetheraputic treatment of earaches or fever.

Another object of the invention is to provide a head restraint which canbe used as a cosmetic aid for retaining a head upon which hair curlersare operably positioned or with hair set in place.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and claims when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings illustrating several embodiments of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of an uninflatedpreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the preferred embodiment of theinvention illustrated in FIG. 1 inflated and operable positioned aboutthe head of an injured person.

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section taken substantially along the lines33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section taken substantially along the lines44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating yet another alternative embodimentof the invention in an uninflated condition.

FIG. 7 is a view in vertical section similar to the view of FIG. 4 butillustrating the operable positioning of the alternative embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an uninflated restraint embodying theinvention and illustrates an alternative positioning of an alternativetype of rigidifying board in a pocket formed in the restraint.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a relaxed, unused restraint embodyingthe invention and utilizing a casing as a drawing means.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the restraint of FIG. 9 with a headoperably positioned therein.

In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity. However, it is not intended to be limited to the specific termsso selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includesall technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner toaccomplish a similar purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. I illustrates a head restraint 4 embodying thepresent invention. It is manufactured from a pair of rectangularflexible synthetic resin or plastic sheets 6 and 8 such as top sheet 6which are heat-sealed, such as by dielectric heating, or equivalentlybonded along an air tight seam 12 around its perimeter. Similarly, an-

, other seam 14 which forms three sides of a trapezoid is formed aroundthe central portion of the head restraint to define an uninflatabletrapezoidal web 16.

The flexible sheet material advantageously is provided with a selectedpolymeric content so that it will not get hard and crack in coldweather. For example, 16 mil cold workable vinyl film either transparentor preferably colored signal yellow might be used.

A short strap I7 with cooperating male and female snap fasteners can beheat sealed to the restraint so that it can be removably fastened to thetubular frame of an ambulance stretcher or cot.

A closable fluid inlet means 18, such as an air valve of the typeconventionally used in air matresses and the like, is provided so thatthe head restraint may be inflated. The restraint is inflatable into apair of spaced, inflatable, pillowlike major lobes 20 and 22 joined bythe trapezoidally shaped central uninflatable web 16 at its obliquesides.

An inflatable, minor, pillow-like lobe 24 extends between the majorlobes 20 and 22 adjacent the shorter of the two parallel sides of thetrapezoidal web 16. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the minor lobe 24supports the persons neck, the major lobes 20 and 22 support the sidesof the head and the trapezoidal shape of the web 16 permits the majorlobes 20 and 22 to be more approximately aligned with the contours ofthe head.

Therefore, the preferred embodiment advantageously comprises a pair oflaminae which are sealingly bonded together along air tight seamsdefining and surrounding a generally U-shaped inflatable envelope havingan uninflated generally trapezoidally shaped central portion arrangedwith its shorter parallel side adjacent the leg joining portion of theU-shaped envelope. The legs of the U-shaped envelope are inflatable intocontoured pillows for clamping to the sides of the head while this legjoining portion forms a minor lobe supportive of the neck.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate an injured person 26 who is supine upon a supportsurface 28 such as a carrying board. The uninflated web 16 has beeninterposed be tween the head 29 of the injured person and the supportsurface 28. The major lobes 20 and 22 are shown inflated in supportingrelationship on the opposite sides of the head 29. The minor lobe 24supports the persons neck.

A drawing means such as a pair of belts or straps 30 and 32 surround thehead, the restraint device and the support surface 28. The belts 30 and32 are tightened to conformingly clamp the major lobes 20 and 22compressively against opposite sides of the head 29 and to hold theclamped head rigidly upon the support surface 28. The straps 30 and 32have fastening means such as a buckle or as illustrated and preferred aVelcro fastener 34 for connecting the opposite ends of the belts tightlytogether. Adhesive tape may alternatively be used as the drawing means.

In operation, a preferred embodiment of the invention is folded andstored for example, in a small envelope-like wrapper. Preferably, asupply of several similarly packaged head restraints are available inthe emergency vehicle.

The para-medic at the scene withdraws a device embodying the presentinvention from its wrapper and unfolds it preparatory to inflation.Preferably, the device is then inflated and positioned on a supportsurface, such as a stretcher or litter, A pumping bulb outfitted with acheck valve and a coupling, mating with inlet means 18, may be providedfor hand inflation. Alternatively, the restraint may be mouth inflated.The injured person is then moved by conventional techniques onto thesupport surface and the head restraint.

Alternatively, of course, the inflated preferred embodiment of theinvention can be positioned under the head of the injured person afterhe has been positioned upon the support surface. This of course,necessitates some slight lifting of the head in orderto slip the minorlobe 24 past the back of the head and beneath the nape of the neck. Ofcourse, as a third alternative the web 16 may be slid under the headprior'to inflation of the head restraint. The restraint is subsequentlyinflated thereby avoiding unnecessary movement of the head."

With the head between the inflated major lobes 20 and 22, the belts 30and 32 are thenpassed beneath the support surface 28 and across the topof the head 29 where they are pulled tightly to clamp the head betweenthe slightly compressed major lobes 20 and 22. Because of the flexiblenature of the material of which the restraint is constructed, andbecause the major lobes 20 and 22 are joined to the central webl6primarily along a relatively straight line, these major pillow-likelobes can pivot easily against the sides of the head into clampingrelationship. This characteristic permits the major lobes to clamp thehead in a fixed position regardless of whether or not the head isrotated from the straight forward position illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. Thehead can be clamped and retained in any position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a head restraint 50 substantially identical to thehead restraint illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 except that a third,substantially rectangular layer 52 is heat sealed or equivalently bondedalong three of its sides beneath the head restraint to form a pocket 54.A rigid flat sheet 56 of material can be inserted in this pocket andformed, if desired, with a tongue extending out of the pocket and behindthe torso of an injured person. The head restraint can then be used inthe absence of a normal support surface or can be used to immobilize thehead ofa person caught for example in the wreckage of a vehicle. Thetongue portion of the flat sheet extending behind the torso of theinjured person can be affixed to the torso by adhesive tape or by one ormore straps to fix the rigid sheet relative to the spine of the person.The head restraint embodying the present invention would then beattached to the head in the manner described above. The person maysubsequently be removed from the wreckage and placed upon a conventionalsupport surface for transport to the hospital with the head restraintalready in place and the head retained in the desired position.

As still another alternative embodiment of the invention the pocket andthe rigid flat sheet could be equivalently formed by a single layer ofrigid plastic bonded to the head restraint.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of theinvention. The head restraint 60 of FIG. 6 is substantially identical tothe head restraint illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 except that there isadditionally provided a third layer or lamina 62 of flexible plasticbonded to the underside of the restraint to form a series of inflatableribs 66 which can be inflated to rigidify the head restraint. A non-skidcoating or material can be used on these ribs so that the restraint canbe laid upon a support platform without slippage relative to the persons body. The support straps can then be attached to the outer edges ofthe major lobes so that they would not have to be wound entirely aroundthe assembled unit.

Various other alternative embodiments of the invention are, of course,also possible. For example, the invention could embody a pair ofindependent major lobes not joined by the neck supporting minor lobe andwhich are independently inflated. Such a pair of lobes joined by thetrapezoidally shaped central web would mary laminae.

FIG. 8 illustrates such a pocket formed in a restraint 70. With a slit72 cut through only one layer a winged rigidifying board 74 may beslipped into the pocket 76.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate still another alternative embodiment of theinvention. A casing somewhat like a pillow case and preferablyconstructed of a similar material extends laterally around the majorlobes 82 and 84 and the web 86. This casing 80 has a circumferential orperipheral dimension smaller than the corresponding peripheral dimensionof the lobes and web so that the lobes are somewhat drawn together byit. However, although the lobes are somewhat drawn together by therelaxed casing 80 they are still far enough apart that a head can belowered against the casing and between the lobes.

When the head is lowered in this manner, the casing operates as thedrawing means by drawing the major lobes in clamping engagement onopposite sides of the lowered head.

The restraint may be used with no other drawing means. Alternatively, ifeven greater restraint is desired the restraint with a casing canadditionally be used with the other types of drawing means previouslydisclosed such as an encircling strap 88 as shown in FIG. 10.

From the above description it will now become obvious that the lobes ofthe restraint could be made from molded or sculptured resilient foamsuch as a polyurethane foam. The firm resilience of such a foam wouldpermit it to have many of the advantageous characteristics of theinflated embodiment of the invention.

From the above, it can be seen that I have provided a head restraintwhich is simple, easy and inexpensive to construct and requires aminimum of space to store and is easy to inflate to an operableposition. It is likewise easy to attach to the human body and enablesthe head to be restrained in any position. Because of the inexpensivematerials of which it is made and because of its simplicity ofconstruction, it may be disposable.

It is to be understood that while the detailed drawings and specificexamples given describe preferred embodiments of the invention, they arefor purposes of illustration only, that the apparatus of the inventionis not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed and thatvarious changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit ofthe invention which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A body restraint for immobilizing a body part of a person, saidrestraint comprising:

a. a pair of spaced, resilient. pillow-like major lobes joined at aninner side of each by a relatively central web; and

b. a supporting and drawing means comprising a casing of flexible sheetmaterial extending laterally around said major lobes and said web andhaving a circumferential dimension less than the correspondingperipheral dimension of said spaced lobes and web but great enough topermit a body part to be lowered against the casing intermediate saidmajor lobes for depressing said casing into a sling for receiving andsupporting a body part and simultaneously drawing said major lobesinwardly into clamping engagement with said body part.

2. A restraint according to claim 1 wherein there is additionallyprovided a rigid support surface upon which said restraint rests and atleast one flexible belt having fastening means for connecting oppositeends of said belt for surrounding said restraint, said body part andsaid support surface for further restraining and clamping said body partbetween said major lobes.

3. A restraint according to claim 1 wherein said lobes comprise aresilient foam.

4. A restraint according to claim 1 wherein said major lobes areinflatable and are constructed of a fluid impervious flexible sheetmaterial having a closable fluid inlet means formed therein.

5. A restraint according to claim 1 wherein said web is generallytrapezoidally shaped having said lobes formed adjacent its oppositeoblique sides.

6. A restraint according to claim 1 formed by a pair of generallyrectangular synthetic resin laminae sealingly bonded together alongseams defining and surrounding a generally U-shaped inflatable envelopehaving an uninflated, generally trapezoidally shaped central portionarranged with its shorter parallel side adjacent the leg-joining portionof the U-shaped envelope. =0 i it

1. A body restraint for immobilizing a body part of a person, saidrestraint comprising: a. a pair of spaced, resilient, pillow-like majorlobes joined at an inner side of each by a relatively central web; andb. a supporting and drawing means comprising a casing of flexible sheetmaterial extending laterally around said major lobes and said web andhaving a circumferential dimension less than the correspondingperipheral dimension of said spaced lobes and web but great enough topermit a body part to be lowered against the casing intermediate saidmajor lobes for depressing said casing into a sling for receiving andsupporting a body part and simultaneously drawing said major lobesinwardly into clamping engagement with said body part.
 2. A restraintaccording to claim 1 wherein there is additionally provided a rigidsupport surface upon which said restraint rests and at least oneflexible belt having fastening means for connecting opposite ends ofsaid belt for surrounding said restraint, said body part and saidsupport surface for further restraining and clamping said body partbetween said major lobes.
 3. A restraint according to claim 1 whereinsaid lobes comprise a resilient foam.
 4. A restraint according to claim1 wherein said major lobes are inflatable and are constructed of a fluidimpervious flexible sheet material having a closable fluid inlet meansformed therein.
 5. A restraint according to claim 1 wherein said web isgenerally trapezoidally shaped having said lobes formed adjacent itsopposite oblique sides.
 6. A restraint according to claim 1 formed by apair of generally rectangular synthetic resin laminae sealingly bondedtogether along seams defining and surrounding a generally U-shapedinflatable envelope having an uninflated, generally trapezoidally shapedcentral portion arranged with its shorter parallel side adjacent theleg-joining portion of the U-shaped envelope.